Raised in Georgia by a true southern lady, I was taught not to talk too much about myself, but to ask lots of questions of others. So telling you all about me feels a little awkward. I’d much rather pour you a cup of something warm, cut you a slice of something rich and offer you a seat on something soft while you share your story with me. Maybe someday. Meanwhile, I’ll share with you what makes me tick.
I absolutely love serving women in the body of Christ. That’s my passion, my calling and my thrill.
As the wife of a pastor I have the unique opportunity to touch the lives of so many women in our church and community. God has given me a tremendous platform for sharing His love and His Word with women of all ages and backgrounds, and I am grateful. I enjoy serving senior adult women, moms of teenagers, working women, homemakers, mothers of preschoolers, young women who are just starting out, empty nesters and teenaged girls full of giggles and questions.
So what do I do in ministry exactly?
I write. I’ve written for popular Christian magazines and of course I write the occasional blog post here. And I blog at DressedforMyDay.com, a style blog for women 50+. But I especially love writing Bible study lessons so women like you and me can accurately apply the rich precepts of God’s ancient Word to our modern lives.
I’ve written and published three Bible studies. Each one is unique and reflects the lessons God taught me through His Word during very different seasons of my life. Oh, and each one is written specifically from a woman’s heart for a woman’s heart. Because I’m a stickler for accurate and responsible Bible study, you’ll find that each of my books is grounded with Scripture. But I also present the material from a transparent and decidedly feminine heart.
I speak. I enjoy speaking to women’s groups, sharing the lessons God has taught me with women who are hungry for more of Him. I’m available to speak at retreats, conferences, MOPS groups, banquets, and anything else you might dream up. Depending on the event and your needs I may be funny or poignant, lighthearted or to the point, but I’ll always bring you a message from God’s Word. Honestly, apart from His Word I don’t have much else to offer you.
I teach. I have taught women’s Bible studies at my home church for over 20 years. I love helping women learn how to study the Bible, giving them a taste of its fruit, and watching them catch the passion for personal Bible study.
I mentor. I enjoy mentoring women who are younger in the faith and younger in age. In the past I’ve had more formal mentoring relationships, but currently I am mentoring women in my church by building organic relationships that help us to learn from one another.
I stand by my man. James and I met in seminary and I agreed to marry him before I ever heard him preach even once. Shortly after I accepted his proposal this little detail occurred to me. Fortunately the first time I heard him preach in a little town in west Texas, I knew I could sit in the front pew and let him be my pastor for the rest of my life. God has so arranged it to where when James stands in that pulpit and begins to preach from the Bible, I don’t really hear my husband talking as much as I hear a message from God. That’s a good thing because we’ve had the normal ups and downs in marriage that could have made it difficult to listen to him on a few Sundays!
I love being in ministry with James. God has given us backstage seats for so many awesome miracles through our 25 plus years together. Being a pastor’s wife is not always easy and we’ve certainly known our share of conflicts and hurts, but I wouldn’t trade this calling for anything. I love the Lord’s bride, the church.
I mother. I do believe this has been my favorite job of all, but I don’t do it up close and ‘round the clock anymore. I have a bright son who works as a computer software engineer and is married to a lovely young physician. They live in nearby Columbus, Ohio. I also have a very creative daughter who is a trained actor and a life coach in the Atlanta, Georgia, area. They are opposites all the way. I was a stay-at-home mom the entire time they were under my roof and, while I realize not everyone can do that, I highly recommend it. Daniel and Abigail have now become my friends and are proving to be absolutely delightful young adults.
And I hike. An avid hiker, I’ve enjoyed the view from many out-of-the-way places most never visit. I know the rewards reserved for those willing to take the trail less traveled and I’ve savored the satisfaction of perseverance in the face of difficulty. I love to lace up my boots and hit the trail, expecting to go somewhere new, see something beautiful and learn a thing or two along the way.
As a follower of Jesus I’m also familiar with His call to walk off the beaten path on a trail blazed distinctly by His Word. Jesus warned that following Him would take us onto a narrow path marked by difficulty. That path is often lonely, sometimes tricky to navigate, usually challenging, but always rewarding. Just like the trails along the Oregon coast that I favor, that narrow path is marked with glorious vistas and rare discoveries worth the climb.
The world beckons us to abandon the difficult, narrow path blazed by God’s Word and to defect to the highways paved by our culture. But God’s Word says that if we stay on the trails hewn with truth and holiness He will grant us rest and reward on those ancient paths. So that’s where I’m walking, on the ancient paths. I invite you to join me.
“…see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it, and you shall find rest for your souls…” – Jeremiah 6:16